The Student Senate unanimously approved a nearly $2 million increase to the 2010-2011 Activity and Services Fee budget Tuesday night, bringing the total from about $14 million to nearly $16 million.
The increase comes after the state legislature's June approval for a one-time hike in fees for the current fiscal year. A portion of the extra money will fund Student Government, the Reitz Union and RecSports. TJ Villamil, chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, presented the bipartisan amendment, noting some increases in salaries in SG-funded programs are necessary to keep up with state-mandated minimum wage increases.
The RecSports budget was increased to accommodate the hiring of about 150 new student staff members to work at Southwest Recreation Center after the expansion, he said.
Villamil, who represents the Unite Party, said he was pleased with broad support for the amendment and the chance to address areas of concern.
Jonathan Ossip, Senate leader for the Student Alliance, also had high praise for the budget.
"The 2010-2011 budget is one of the better budgets I've seen," he said.
